Why You Might Want to Rethink Buying in Bulk

I’ve been on a pantry kick lately – tackling a number of client pantries around the area. Truly, this is one of my favorite spaces to organize. It’s usually a contained space, can be transformed in just a day, and there are some fabulous tools that aren’t crazy expensive that can take a pantry from disaster area to downright Pinterest worthy in no time. However, I’ve noticed a trend. Many of my clients seem prepared for a zombie apocalypse (or at least a very long snow event), and it’s creating havoc in the pantry.

Big-box stores (Costco, Sam’s Club, etc.) certainly have their plus sides. If you’re hosting a lot of family for the holidays, or are throwing a large party, run a restaurant or you have 11 kids, you can find some great deals. And there are some items that we all tend to use up, and if you have some extra storage room (e.g. a Costco closet that is dedicated to storing this stuff), then good on you! However, for many of us (myself included), my pantry and storage is a bit more limited. Shopping at these stores just doesn’t make sense on a regular basis. Plus, my relatively average-size family of four just can’t go through this stuff that quickly. A vat of mayonnaise or a six-gallon pack of olive oil just isn’t going to get used up before it goes bad. I’m better off buying the smaller sizes at my local grocery store.

Nevermind that we are often tricked by price. If the best thing about an item is the price, then it probably isn’t a great idea to purchase it. Big box stores have a way of making us think we need stuff that we truly don’t, just because it appears to be cheap. If you are going to shop in bulk, be sure and have a plan before you enter the store. Go with a firm list of things you know you’ll use, and use up within a reasonable amount of time. Think about your storage space in advance, and only purchase things you have space for. Make sure items are kept in a space where you know you’ll see them and therefore use them. Stashing things in various places all over the house often means it’s out of sight and out of mind. You might end up accidentally repurchasing items because you don’t know what you have.

I’m not a Costco hater (the hot dogs are really good!), but if it’s getting in the way of an organized, uncluttered life, it might be time to take stock of what you truly use and need and have space for. And consider buying in smaller quantities that don’t get in the way of the rest of your life.

Perri Kersh is the neatest, and sometimes freakiest, at Neat Freak Professional Organizing, LLC in Chapel Hill. She works with individuals, families, small business owners and students to help them get and stay organized. When she’s not organizing for others, she frequently shovels up after her husband and children. You can read more about Neat Freak on the website above or reach Perri at 919-824-8196.